A chemogenomic screening identifies CK2 as a target for pro-senescence therapy in PTEN-deficient tumours

Nat Commun. 2015 Jun 18:6:7227. doi: 10.1038/ncomms8227.

Abstract

Enhancement of cellular senescence in tumours triggers a stable cell growth arrest and activation of an antitumour immune response that can be exploited for cancer therapy. Currently, there are only a limited number of targeted therapies that act by increasing senescence in cancers, but the majority of them are not selective and also target healthy cells. Here we developed a chemogenomic screening to identify compounds that enhance senescence in PTEN-deficient cells without affecting normal cells. By using this approach, we identified casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a pro-senescent target. Mechanistically, we show that Pten loss increases CK2 levels by activating STAT3. CK2 upregulation in Pten null tumours affects the stability of Pml, an essential regulator of senescence. However, CK2 inhibition stabilizes Pml levels enhancing senescence in Pten null tumours. Taken together, our screening strategy has identified a novel STAT3-CK2-PML network that can be targeted for pro-senescence therapy for cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Casein Kinase II / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Casein Kinase II / metabolism
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Female
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Naphthyridines / pharmacology
  • Naphthyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / deficiency*
  • Phenazines
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Naphthyridines
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phenazines
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • PML protein, human
  • silmitasertib
  • Casein Kinase II
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human